Culture Liverpool appoints Kevin McManus UNESCO City of Music Producer

With GIT Award 2016 Inspiration Award recipient Kevin McManus is appointed Producer of UNESCO City of Music, Getintothis’ David Hall reports.

KevinMcManus is to head up Liverpool’s prestigious UNESCO accolade, recognising the city’s placement of music at the heart of contemporary culture, education and the economy.

Having been involved in the music industry for more than 30 years – writing for NME, The Face, iD and Mixmag, working at the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Popular Music, authoring two books and co-writing another – Kevin McManus was the recipient of the Inspiration Award at May’s GIT Award ceremony for his contribution to the music sector.

From behind the scenes, McManus contributed to Liverpool’s successful bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2008 and played a key role in producing charity singles supporting the Hillsborough justice campaign. Currently employed by Liverpool Vision, McManus champions creative and digital industries in Liverpool, curating Liverpool Sound City’s conference and festival aspects and developing the Baltic Creative Community Interest Company.

“It’s a privilege to have the role of taking forward Liverpool’s designation as a UNESCO City of Music,” he says, “Everyone who knows me is aware of the passion I have for Liverpool and for the amazing music that continues to come out of the city so I’m really excited to have this opportunity.”

Through Culture Liverpool, the Producer of UNESCO City of Music role tasks McManus with developing a brand under which all credible music activity will sit in order to create a more joined-up music offer in the city, engaging and encouraging young people to continue to generate world-class musicians, producers, and sector professionals, and ultimately to increase the profile of the music sector locally, nationally and internationally.

Getintothis wishes Kevin the greatest success in his new role, we know he’s the best man for the job!